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Carreer switcher with unusual background

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banjomba
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Joined: 26 Aug 2011
Posts: 8
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Location: United States (WI)
Concentration: Other, International Business
Schools: Madison
GMAT Date: 01-09-2012
GPA: 2.69
WE:Operations (Transportation)
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Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   09 Sep 2011, 18:58
Hi,

I've been thinking about switching carreers so have been studying the GMAT. I am 38 years old (will be 39 in March) and have a B.S. in Marine Transportation. I work as a Chief Officer aboard Merchant ships so I don't have a job in a typical business environment (although I am a supervisor). I took the GMAT in 1997 and scored a 640 which was 89th percentile back then so I'm hoping to get into the 90th percentile when I take it again. Anyway, I'm hoping to apply to Wisconsin as I live nearby and can't see moving away for school at this point in my life. I don't see getting an online MBA or an MBA from a smaller university nearby as worth the time or money to do it especially at my age. As I see it here are some of my strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths:

I've traveled to almost 30 different countries. I speak some rudimentary japanese and can read hiragana and katakana and a few kanji. I've been on many different types of vessels including tankers, container ships, casino boats, research vessels, oil supply vessels, and a ferry. I can play the banjo(self taught) and I've played rugby with various clubs for twenty years. I've played with my brother in law's band for nursery homes a few times (not sure if I would mention this or not).

Weaknesses:
My GPA was a 2.69 (graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1995). Also, as I mentioned, I don't have a typical business background.

Do you think I'd have a shot at getting accepted if I got around a 700 GMAT (I'm planning on applying by the second round deadline)? I was also considering getting a more traditional job in the area and applying to get a part time MBA from Wisconsin. It seems this program is easier to get into (the average GMAT score is lower) but I would think that means it's not looked upon as highly by employers. Am I right in this regard?

Thank you,

Keith
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   10 Sep 2011, 22:30
Expert Reply
Seems like you have had an exciting life!
To answer your message though you will have to answer two vital questions:
1. Get accepted to where?
And maybe even more importantly:
2. Why??
You are very far on the end of the age limit, and you might want to ask yourself a) if it's right for you to do a diploma degree with students who are 23-26 b) What you really expect/want to get out of this (i.e. what your goals are) c) How you can SHOW the schools that this is the right choice for you at this time.

Otherwise, if it's relevant, you might look into executive programs.
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banjomba
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Joined: 26 Aug 2011
Posts: 8
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Location: United States (WI)
Concentration: Other, International Business
Schools: Madison
GMAT Date: 01-09-2012
GPA: 2.69
WE:Operations (Transportation)
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   11 Sep 2011, 07:12
As far as where, I'm planning on applying to the University of Wisconsin.

As far as why, it's basically because I don't want to keep spending 1/2 of my life away from home anymore. I thought that I would be more marketable to companies if I got an MBA.
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FutureWorks
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   12 Sep 2011, 05:14
Hi Kieth,
Often part time mba is good but that depends on what your employer is looking for. We would advise you to search more schools, prepare a list and then apply to them. Unfortunately your desired school is not a top B school so you need to keep that also in consideration while making a decision.
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   12 Sep 2011, 23:16
Expert Reply
Well, an MBA is always an opportunity for you to take time off, reevaluate yourself, learn new skills, and seek a job change, so it can likely help you out there. In general though, for example, if you were looking to switch tot classic consulting or finance job, I'm not sure that a full MBA program would necessarily be the right choice. If you do stay in industry though, it could be very helpful to give you that jump. One thing I would do though is speak to potential future employers (let's say for the moment shipping companies) asking them for informational interviews r.e. getting an MBA, and how that might make you a strong candidate for a a managerial position.
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banjomba
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Joined: 26 Aug 2011
Posts: 8
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Location: United States (WI)
Concentration: Other, International Business
Schools: Madison
GMAT Date: 01-09-2012
GPA: 2.69
WE:Operations (Transportation)
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   17 Sep 2011, 07:41
Thanks for all the advice.
I know that online MBA's are unpopular, but I was actually thinking of applying to Indiana's online program. My rationale is that I could keep my line of work while getting a degree. After some thought I can't see going back to school full time at this point in life. After doing some research, it looked like UNC and Indiana were the best b-schools to offer online degrees. UNC is out of my price range and I wouldn't get accepted anyway but I would think I'd have a shot at getting in the Indiana program. There are also a few AACSB accredited online programs that were very cheap (Murray St.,Tennessee-Martin, Memphis to name a few) , but I don't know if it would even be worth going to them.
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Schools:Brown University, Harvard Business School
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   18 Sep 2011, 00:29
Expert Reply
Well, if it's only knowledge that you seek, okay. But Online MBAs are faaaaaaar less effective than full time MBAs. There's no real meeting people, there's no dynamics, no networking, no interactivity (okay there's a bit of all, but in a rather virtual manner). I feel that if you are gonna do it, do it right. Go all the way, apply to 3-4 programs that fit your needs and go for it! Spend the time there, interact with professors and students, join clubs, participate in entrepreneurial contests...
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throughmba
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Location: United Kingdom
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   18 Sep 2011, 01:27
I would definitely agree that online degrees would not be the same Full time oncampus MBA. Infact in your specific case you should go for full time campus MBA. The reason

1. You will feel close to learning and since you have been away, you need to have it more immersively
2. I personally dont believe in age, infact I believed Indiana Jones when he said its mileage, not the age. :-D
3. Your profile may seem not exactly a tailor made for MBA but people with your profiles have made to good school in the name of diversity
4. If money is to be considered then definitely go for an ROI study, it will give you a reason to change your mind
5. If you are home sick then you will do what you want to and its perfectly justified in your case.

Best of Luck
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banjomba
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Intern
Joined: 26 Aug 2011
Posts: 8
Own Kudos [?]: 5 [0]
Given Kudos: 1
Location: United States (WI)
Concentration: Other, International Business
Schools: Madison
GMAT Date: 01-09-2012
GPA: 2.69
WE:Operations (Transportation)
Send PM
Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   18 Sep 2011, 12:39
Would a B&M degree from a small state school be worthwhile? The reason I ask is that i would rather not move just to go back to school.

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Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 9229
Own Kudos [?]: 2065 [0]
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Location: Chicago, IL
Schools:Brown University, Harvard Business School
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink] New post   19 Sep 2011, 14:03
Expert Reply
Maybe. Depends on the school :)
check their employment statistics and see who hires from there. since it's close and school is in session, a visit is most likely in order.
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Re: Carreer switcher with unusual background [#permalink]
19 Sep 2011, 14:03

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